Opinion
11-10-2016
In the Matter of Kevin J. CONNOLLY, a suspended attorney: Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner, Kevin J. Connolly, Respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Counsel, Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York (Orlando Reyes, of counsel), for petitioner. Respondent pro se.
Disciplinary proceedings instituted by the Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department. Respondent, Kevin J. Connolly, was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York at a Term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the Second Judicial Department on May 16, 1990.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Counsel, Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York (Orlando Reyes, of counsel), for petitioner.
Respondent pro se.
PER CURIAM.
Respondent Kevin J. Connolly was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on May 16, 1990. At all times relevant herein, respondent maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department.
The Departmental Disciplinary Committee now moves for an order pursuant to the Rules of the Appellate Division, First Department (22 NYCRR) § 603.4(g), on the ground that respondent has been suspended under 22 NYCRR 603.4(e)(1)(i), and that he has not applied in writing to the Committee or the Court for a hearing or reinstatement since the date of his immediate suspension, which occurred more than six months ago on February 4, 2016 (138 A.D.3d 1, 24 N.Y.S.3d 620 [1st Dept.2016] ). Respondent, pro se, was served with this motion to disbar by first class mail and certified mail return receipt requested, but no response has been received.
More than six months have elapsed since the date of this Court's suspension order and respondent has failed to appear or contact the Committee or the Court for a hearing or reinstatement. The complaints that triggered respondent's interim suspension involved, among other things, neglect of client matters. In light of the above, respondent should be disbarred (Matter of Silverman, 135 AD3d 182, 21 N.Y.S.3d 883 [1st Dept.2016] ; Matter of Cumberbatch, 131 A.D.3d 91, 13 N.Y.S.3d 421 [1st Dept.2015] ; Matter of Anderson, 131 A.D.3d 88, 12 N.Y.S.3d 542 [1st Dept.2015] ).
Accordingly, the Committee's motion for an order disbarring respondent is granted, and respondent's name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective immediately.
PETER TOM, Justice Presiding, JOHN W. SWEENY, JR., DIANNE T. RENWICK, ROSALYN H. RICHTER, SALLIE MANZANET–DANIELS, Justices, concur.